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Sanding and refinishing is perfect for installed and finished-in-place solid wood floors. Engineered floors can require a different approach. Because they are not solid wood, they can be cleaned and buffed, and depending on the wear layer thickness, they may or may not be sandable. If they can’t be sanded then they can be screened and recoated.
Click here to read more about our hardwood floor screening and Recoating maintenance service.
Keystone Hardwood Floor Care provides Allen County, Indiana, + 60-mile radius, with several floor care services. In order to keep your hardwood floors looking good, you should have them refinished every three to five years. Hardwood flooring is a natural material and is vulnerable to the elements when the protective layer is worn off. Wood floors should be immediately refinished when the protective sealer has been worn off. At this state, hardwood floors can be damaged from water, spills, foods, stains etc. You can also have a floor refinishing service assess them if they have become dull, yellowed, or scratchy. In summary, a good time to have your floors evaluated for refinishing are:
Step 1. Vacuuming thoroughly and inspecting
The homeowner should remove all furniture from the room. It is advised to remove all existing shoe molding, quarter rounds, and ventilation registers. These steps are crucial to ensure a professional-looking job. Staining, refinishing, and sanding need to go all the way to the edge of the boards. We will not take short cuts such as sacrificing color or stain buildup where the floor meets the shoe moldings or registers or risking uneven application by going around them, or by skipping sanding to avoid rubbing up against existing molding.
Step 2: Sanding
To remove the original floor finish and color, a drum sander must be used, which is an acquired skill. Drum sanders remove wood with each pass, so they need both strength and technique to control it. Using a sander improperly can quickly ruin a floor. As we run our sanders sequentially, we gradually lower the grit of the paper to achieve a smooth surface. The final sanding involves using very fine-grit sandpaper to ensure a smooth surface that can be coated and finished.
Step 3: Staining
After all sanding is complete, a visual inspection is done to check for any residual marks from sanding. These marks must be removed before staining can begin. It might be necessary to water pop the floor depending on the pigment in the stain.
Step 3: Finish application
After the stain has dried–about two to three hours after it is applied–we apply a few coats of premium water-based polyurethane.
Step 5: Buffing
The floors are buffed after the finish is thoroughly dry to remove any surface imperfections. Finally, a highly polished surface is achieved by applying a final coat of finish.
Step 6: Drying
Once the finish has dried for four hours, it can handle light traffic and be moved back into place. We always recommend that you place protective furniture pads on all furniture components that contact the floor.
How much does sanding and refinishing hardwood floors cost?
Starting at $5.00 per square foot, we offer full sanding, staining, and finishing services. Additional coats of finish may need to be added, carpet may need to be removed, and furniture may need to be moved. A detailed description of our initial estimate is provided to you beforehand, and all costs and services are explained in detail.
